Friday New Pathways
This week's new development opportunities for artists and theatre professionals
It’s another bumper week of brilliant opportunities for artists and theatre talent this week, from Sheffield to Doncaster, from Newcastle to Basingstoke! Happy reading…
____________________________________________________________________________A new programme of artist development has been announced by Sheffield Theatres:
Making Room Observers: Making Room Observer opportunities are for aspiring and early-career theatre creatives based locally to Sheffield Theatres who want to familiarise with professional rehearsal practice, as part of the production of Dancing at Lughnasa at the Crucible this autumn. The team are particularly keen to hear from artists who might be interested in writing for theatre. Closing date is Sunday 25 May.
Rolling Residencies: Rolling Residencies are for theatre creatives based locally to Sheffield Theatres who would benefit from space, structure, and funding in the development of a project or idea. The team are interested in supporting exciting projects and ideas at early stages of development. Closing date is Sunday 25 May.
Script window 2025: The Script Window is a space for writers local to Sheffield Theatres to send in writing for the stage. The aim is to read work from unrepresented writers to build and develop relationships with the exceptional talent in the region. The window opens from Monday 7 July and will remain open for 5 weeks until Mon 11 August.
General workshop auditions for local actors: These auditions are the first project in a new series of initiatives to develop awareness of and relationships with local actors.To be eligible you must be based within 30 miles of Sheffield Theatres and have either completed a suitable training programme, or have at least one professional credit. Day One will take place on Mon 19 May. Day Two will take place on Wed 21 May. Applications open 10am on Thu 24 April.
____________________________________________________________________________
The Gate Theatre in London are offering a series of Masterclasses, Coffee Mornings and Artist Surgeries:
Masterclasses: The new Masterclass Series invests in our artist network’s practice, perspective and knowledge of making theatre in the world we live in today. With leading facilitators in international theatre in the UK and beyond, these workshops provide space for artists to learn from each other, bettering their understanding of how to make work that reaches further than the stage, and beyond our own world view.
Gate Coffee Mornings offer a relaxed space for artists to drop in and chat with the teams from all the companies we share space with—Gate, New Earth, Paines Plough and Tamasha. This is held on the first Wednesday of each month from 11 AM to 1 PM, so artists know when they can come by for a casual chat with our team.
Artist Surgeries: Have a specific question you need answering related to your practice and career, a project you’re working on, or just need a sounding board? The Gate’s Artist Surgeries are hosted monthly, and allow our artists to ask for advice or expertise around specific questions. These sessions take place on the second Thursday of every month, and each month’s surgery booking will close the week before.
____________________________________________________________________________
Southwest based theatre company Beyond Face runs the artist development programme: We Are Here
We Are Here aims to provide the tools and space for global majority artists to grow personally and professionally and to develop a sense of creative community across the South-West region. This includes regular scratch nights called We are Here to Share, writer’s group We are Here to Write and 1:1 support through We are Here to Unlock
We are Here to Write is a writing group for Global Majority South West based artists. Meeting fortnightly online, the group is a space for coming together, writing and developing as writers and artists.
We are Here to Unlock offers 1:1 sessions with a member of the Beyond Face team designed with the aim of unlocking practical, actionable ways to move your theatre project forward. This could be guidance on funding, someone to offer pointers on your Arts Council bid, feedback on a script or tips on how to find collaborators.
____________________________________________________________________________
Basingstoke based company Proteus have an ongoing artist development programme: Performance Lab.
The Performance Lab offers up to one week of free rehearsal space, a bursary of up to £250 towards cost of expenses, artistic and professional development support from the Proteus team and the opportunity to share ideas in front of a live audience of local residents and artists and get their feedback.
____________________________________________________________________________
Leith Hill Place are offering an artist residency with the National Trust and Surrey Hills Arts.
Incubate is designed for a dynamic and socially engaged, emerging artist from any discipline, including performing artists and writers, to take up residence at Leith Hill Place for 3 months between August – Oct 2025. The offer includes free space and £1000 stipend.
The residency will be an opportunity for you to develop work and explore connections across the site with support from the host organisations. There will also be opportunities to engage the community in the work, and should be to develop work that relates to the history or geology of the site. Applications close 11th May.
____________________________________________________________________________
Dorchester Arts will be hosting a day of celebrating new writing for theatre, TV, film, radio on Saturday May 3rd across five different venues in the centre of Dorchester: The Corn Exchange, Tom Browns, The Kings Arms, Dorset Museum and Shire Hall.
The Festival is free and open to the all. Discover a huge range of new writing, along with other events, including workshops, Q&As and networking opportunities with writers, venues and organisations exhibiting in our Writers’ Hub.
____________________________________________________________________________
Live Theatre in Newcastle have announced the 2025 Unearthed Festival line up.
Unearthed Festival is a celebration of North East creativity and bold new theatre for a better world. Events include dynamic workshops, masterclasses, socials and performances surrounded by a vibrant community of artists. The festival will also feature readings, performances, and scratch nights, the majority of which will be on sale for Live Theatre’s freelance rate of £6. There will also be a mid-career artist gathering, Fail Friday, and creative socials for parents who work in the arts.
____________________________________________________________________________